Sports journalism focus expanding at Cronkite School

October 26, 2012

Arizona State University, responding to an increase in both student and industry interest in sports media, is expanding its sports journalism programs and opportunities at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The school’s newest initiative is a partnership with cable sports network FOX Sports Arizona. Beginning Nov. 4, the network will produce its pre- and post-game shows for all Phoenix Suns road games during the 2012-2013 NBA season from Cronkite’s Sony Studio on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus. Download Full Image

Students will be able to apply for internship opportunities with the FOX Sports Arizona show, allowing them to work side by side with seasoned sports producers on both the editorial and production sides in their own building.

The school also announced that it will be offering a new studio production class focused on sports starting in the fall 2013 semester. That class also will be involved with the production of the pre- and post-game shows. In addition, students will have use of the newly designed FOX Sports Arizona anchor desk in the Sony Studio for TV classes.

“This is a great partnership,” said Cronkite assistant dean Mark Lodato, who is leading the school’s sports media efforts. “FOX Sports Arizona will be able to tap into the energy, passion and innovation that our students bring to the building each day, while our students will have an unparalleled opportunity to learn from and work with top-flight professionals right in their own building.”

Brian Hogan, senior vice president and general manager of FOX Sports Arizona, added, “We are very appreciative to have Arizona State University partner with us on this exciting initiative. This adds to our foundation as the home of unmatched local sports television programming and allows us to team with the Cronkite School for another opportunity that supports and educates tomorrow’s television professionals.”

The announcement comes just a few days before award-winning sportscaster Bob Costas comes to Cronkite to receive the 29th annual Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. And on Friday, members of ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast team will visit the Cronkite School to participate in a showcase panel at Cronkite Day, the school’s alumni celebration. Mike Tirico, play-by-play commentator for “Monday Night Football,” will broadcast on ESPN Radio from Cronkite’s radio studios that morning.

The new initiatives add to a wide array of sports media opportunities that has been growing in recent semesters. This past summer, a team of Cronkite students traveled to London to cover the Summer Olympics. Last spring, another group of students covered spring training of four Major League Baseball teams – the Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners – for the leading online newspaper outlets in those markets.

Other sports-related coursework at Cronkite includes sports reporting for Cronkite NewsWatch, the school’s 30-minute nightly newscast, courses in sports writing and sports and the media, and FOX Sports Creative University, a class on sports marketing and campaigns.

In addition, a number of extracurricular opportunities are available through Cronkite’s partnerships with professional sports media organizations. Students can become contributors for ESPNU, work in paid production positions with the new Pac-12 Network and participate in SportsWatch 101, a student-created, 30-minute magazine-style TV show that produces in-depth features on athletics and athletes for FOX Sports Arizona.

There also is a robust series of student-led sports initiatives, including play-by-play coverage of ASU athletics on The Blaze, the campus radio station; sports reporting at The State Press, the university’s independent daily newspaper and website; Sun Devil Sports Night, a sports program that airs on ASUtv; and the Walter Cronkite Sports Network, a student-run broadcasting organization that offers play-by-play and production opportunities.

Cronkite students have participated in more than 100 sports-related internships from summer 2011 through this past summer.

“The opportunities in sports media are growing, and the interest in the field among our students is growing just as fast,” Lodato said. “With these new programs, the Cronkite School has become a national leader in sports journalism and communication education.”

Marshall Terrill

Reporter , ASU News

480-727-5176 marshall.terrill@asu.edu

Gammage gala kicks off fundraising efforts for 50th anniversary

October 26, 2012

On Oct. 13, nearly 300 guests gathered on stage at the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright designed performing arts center, ASU Gammage, to celebrate its first-ever gala. The Golden Gammage Gala (GO GAGA) was a chance for ASU Gammage supporters – old and new – to come together for a grand fête to celebrate ASU Gammage’s profound cultural and economic impact throughout the state. This event was the first of three major social events planned leading up to the Golden Anniversary in 2014.

GO GAGA attendees included many members of ASU Gammage's 50th Anniversary Leadership Board including co-chairs Leslie and Jeff Rich of Scottsdale, Mary Way (co-chair) and Bill Way of Paradise Valley, William Ahearn of Phoenix, Jerry Appell of Phoenix, JO Finks of Phoenix, Fernand Fernandez of Chandler, Grady Gammage, Jr. of Phoenix, Laurie and Chuck Goldstein of Paradise Valley, Albert Leffler of Phoenix and Doreen and Michael Manning of Paradise Valley. Other members of the ASU Gammage 50th Anniversary Leadership Board are Steve Maun of Paradise Valley and Sarah Nolan of Winnetka, IL. Download Full Image

The red-carpet worthy event whisked guests to the Big Apple away with a New York City theme where they were greeted with a red-carpet lined entry with paparazzi. As guests entered the landmark venue they enjoyed roasted chestnuts, gourmet hot dogs and glam-ified New York City street food during the cocktail hour.

Entertainers for the evening included ASU Gammage’s first-ever artist-in-residence Daniel Bernard Roumain, a remarkable young musician/composer and Broadway veteran David Burnham who serenaded guests with some of Broadway’s biggest hits.

Guests then dined onstage with dinner provided by Michael’s Catering and edible centerpieces adorned the tables made by the Art Institute of Phoenix. The centerpieces were cakes and other baked items that also served as dessert and were Broadway themed.

“We are thrilled to have successfully completed our first Gala, enormous thanks to our event chair Leslie Rich. With Leslie’s leadership this event was a true success,” said Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, ASU Gammage executive director.